TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY!

TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY!

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’ ” – Leviticus 19:1-2

There is an old hymn named, “Take Time To Be Holy.” When I looked up the lyrics online, two men with two different dates were listed: William D. Longstaff, 1882, as the lyricist and George C. Stebbins, 1890, as the composer. Not much more information was given about them except that the reference to the Leviticus Scripture passage above was cited as the inspirational verse for the writing of this hymn. Thank You, God, for continuing to speak to us through your living and active Word (Hebrews 4:12)!

This old hymn just keeps going through my mind – as does the truth about our very real need to take time to be holy, and to offer true and sincere heart worship to our Holy God through the way we live our lives. Our Holy God is the One who has given us life and breath and eternal life through our Savior and Lord Jesus. It is only right (Oh, that it would also be natural!) for us to respond to our Holy God’s love by taking time to be holy and living our lives in a holy, thankful, and worshipful way! Read, pray, reflect on and sing the words of this beautiful old hymn:

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak, Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide; And run not before Him, whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul, Each thought and each motive beneath His control. Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love, Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Read, pray, reflect on and sing the words of this beautiful old hymn, again! Do you believe these words have a message of truth for you? Then, do something about it.

May we each choose to take time to be holy! May we each take time – and thought and energy and action – to be holy! Take time to be like our Holy, Almighty Lord who loves us in unfailing, sacrificial, transforming and everlasting ways!